I was asked to join the racecheck #visorclub pace team and gladly accepted the role of the sub-45 minute pacer position with experienced pacer, Tony.  I had paced a couple of events and although 10k was one I had not, the splits were the exact same as the Swansea Half Marathon that I particpated in June, so was confident I could hit the times.

We were kept very well informed prior to the event through the emails from the aat team, and even when I had queries, they were quick to email back and clarify.  On race day, although passed backwards and forwards when trying to receive my race number, I found the organisation be very on point and all the information easy to convey.  I did not hear all the briefings due to being in the starting pen early, but from how everyone was feeling, I knew everything was clearly put across.  The starting areas also had large flags telling everyone where they needed to stand, which is rare in some debut 10ks, and like clockwork we headed out of the town centre and were away!  My Dad was the only member of the Avery Fan Club who was here today due to the early start of 08:00, and he was well positioned at the start/finish line for the duration of the race.

We made our way out along the cobbled road and had a great group with us.  We gave the advice of running a few seconds under to allow for any discrepancies with the markings and Tony and I were glad we did!  Both of our watches were set off at the same point and were practically identical, yet the km marker was very short and had us running through it at 3:49 pace - which is sub 40 minute pace.  A lot of the other runners were slightly put out by this, so we had to spend the next two kms also reassuring them that WE were on pace, NOT the markers.  By the 5km mark they had settled and got back in sync with where they should be, but if you were a first time/lone pacer or someone who was trying a time, this could've thrown the entire plan out the window.

Although not as picturesque as a number of races I had completed, the course was nice and scenic, with the town centre in particular being a beautiful location.  Running out to 5k was nice and the nice country lanes we ran along took our minds off of the climbs that were throughout the race.  It may've been the pace was slightly more comfortable for Tony and I then the other runners, but I do not think that this was as hilly as some have made out and we did debate that on a non-pacing day, this could arguably be a PB course.

The course was really well marked and the marshalls were doing a wonderful job showing the route we needed to go and after turning at the 5k mark, we were on the home stretch.  Our group had got slightly smaller than when we left the town, but our remaining runners were doing great and battling hard.

With a few seconds in the bag and only a few hundred metres to go, we could hear the roar of the town and urged people to keep going.  Physically shouting at people not to stop, keep battling and get their times, there was a flurry of people who got over the finish line in under 45 minutes and that was fantastic to witness.  The medal was a nice bit of bling, the post race goodies was great and the feel good factor afterwards was terrific.

This is a great race and one I would certainly have another crack at.  Few teething issues need sorting and the placement of marker is a big one of them, but a great weekend nevertheless.